Mr. Thongchai Sridama, Acting President of TCEB, disclosed that, "Thailand's MICE industry is growing strongly despite the economic crises in Europe and USA. The 2012 figures have exceeded our annual target of 750,000 MICE visitors in 2012, and are a clear vote of confidence in Thailand as a cost-effective MICE destination. Last year we saw an increase of 19 percent above target to 895,224 MICE visitors, earning US$2.66 billion, or 79.8 billion baht."

Overall, the MICE industry was responsible for 9.49 per cent of all tourism earnings in 2012, accounting for 0.58 percent of total GDP. Conventions contributed 33 percent, followed by corporate meetings and incentive travel, which contributed 25 and 24 percent, respectively. International exhibitions and trade shows accounted for 18 percent of total MICE revenues for 2012.

"In 2012, Thailand hosted a total of 7,382 MICE events, 6.84 percent up from 2011. However, the number of visitors grew by 19 percent, reflects TCEB's success in attracting mega-events to Thailand. Last year, the average stay for overseas MICE visitors was 5.54 days, with an average contribution of US$ 536, or Baht 16,084 per person per day," Mr. Thongchai added.

"For 2013, TCEB's strategy for Thailand will continue to focus on maintaining existing markets as well as expanding new target markets, particularly the ASEAN+6 market, which has a very high potential for growth. We are also in the process of reconfiguring and rebranding TCEB's own organization in order to drive growth and development of Thailand's meetings and trade show business. We will also be modernizing the TCEB logo to reflect a new working paradigm that fosters creativity and innovation. We believe that this repositioning will help drive and develop the MICE industry, create new economic value and generate revenues for the country," added Mr. Thongchai.

TCEB's working paradigm is based on five concepts that serve as Drivers of Growth:

Strategic Business Partner. TCEB has a major role in offering strategic direction to the MICE industry, supporting its sustainable growth and development through sector-level planning as well as consultation for individual companies.

Solution Provider – TCEB's private sector support for MICE operators must focus on addressing specific business challenges while contributing to organizational agility and long-term sustainable development of the sector.

Business Connector – TCEB can play a unique supporting role in facilitating new partnerships among MICE operators as well as driving the establishment of strategic alliances across the region as well as globally. The strength, resilience and reach of such a network of strategic partners will provide a strong foundation to drive future competitiveness.

MICE Capabilities Developer – TCEB will address the need for strengthening human resource capacity within the MICE industry by focusing on establishing standards, and by enhancing the potential and calibre of MICE industry professionals.

TCEB's new organizational identity has modified the original logo to represent 3 key organizational pillars - growth, creativity and commitment to success. The new colour scheme uses yellow to convey the power of growth, prosperity and the power of the intellect, while blue represents unlimited inspiration, creativity and innovation.

"We are confident that the new TCEB brand, to be finalized during February, will reinforce our new working paradigm and help boost the competitiveness of Thailand's MICE industry in an era of constant change. At the same time TCEB aims to empower entrepreneurs by helping them build their competencies and expertise and widen their business networks, enabling them to compete more effectively in the global arena. We expect this to be reflected in an increased contribution of the MICE industry to the national economy. TCEB expects that the new organizational identity will help boost MICE industry growth by at least 10 percent per year. In 2013 expects over 792,000 MICE visitors to Thailand, generating revenues of over US$ 2.1 billion, or 63.2 billion Baht," said Thongchai in conclusion.

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